Feast of St. Francis Xavier

By Chitra

 The feast of St. Francis Xavier is one of the most important festivals in Goa. Though essentially a Christian festival, all Goans irrespective of their caste and religious faiths come to the Basilica of Bom Jesus located in Old Goa to participate in the feast. St. Francis Xavier was revered saint who came to Goa along with the Portuguese in order to spread Christianity. His mortal remains are still preserved in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.
The Saint Francis Feast is celebrated every year on December 3rd to mark the death anniversary of the saint. He was affectionately called Goincho Saib or the Lord of Goa.
During the Feast of St. Xavier, the Basilica of Bom Jesus is decorated beautifully and entire Goa comes alive with celebrations and merrymaking. Since this occasion is an important one, people from all over the world come here to participate in the proceedings. The mass prayers begin as early as 4 am and people come from all over to take part in it. The feast usually is celebrated for around 9 days.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shree Shantadurga Zatra Fatorpa

Image
By PRATIKSHA Zatra is the konkani langauge term for the pilgrimage festivals celebrated at temples in goa.The annual " Zatrotsav" of shree Shantadurga Fatorpekareen at Fatorpa is celebrated from January 3, As part of this 6-days event, various religious & cultural activities are held. The temple at fatorpa is built in honor of the deity parvati, also known as shantadurga in goa. Shantadurga is a combination of two words:kumk (kumkum or sindur) and aali9meaning saffron colour).In the past , fatorpa was known as kumkummahali, and is called punyabhumi by the sons of the soil. "shantadurga means peaceful durga"
Read more

SHIRGAO ZATRA

Image
      By Pratiksha Lairai  Zatra is the most famous zatra celebrated in Goa. In konkani, zatra means Pilgrimage festival celebrated on April 11 every year.the festival is celebrated in honour of Devi Lairai in a small village, Shirgao, which is located in Bicholim .The temple of Goddess Lairai is decorated with Lights and several rituals and poojas are conducted . The festival is also known for the Fire Walking.The celebration begins early morning with performing rituals. most of the devotees wear a different type of dhoti and flower garlands, they also caring a stick , which they make using twisted twigs. devotees dance inside the temple of Lairai caring the stick. The devotees from a circle around the bone fire and once again start dancing through the hot coal.                                                                                                                                                                      
Read more

Shigmo

Image
by Chitra Shigmotsav or Shigmo or Gulalotsav is a 14-day-long spring festival celebrated in Goa in March. It is the biggest spring festival celebrated by the Hindus and is a fusion of carnival and Holi. The festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Phalguna on the full moon day. Shigmotsav is Goa’s answer to the festival of colours, Holi. The celebration begins by offering prayers to the god and goddess of the village. During this festival, elaborate floats are prepared and parades with street dancers and traditional folk songs are organised. The floats usually display scenes from religious texts and regional mythology. These beautifully lit and artistically-designed floats are taken out in a parade in many places in the state like Panaji, Mapusa, Ponda and Madgao. Folk dances are performed by dance troupes on the road. The streets of Goa turn into cultural centre with music and dance.
Read more